Advantages, 11th Ed.
The Shotshell Load Encyclopedia
Revised, expanded, and improved. Simply the world's greatest source of shotshell data
With over 3,200 loads, the 11th edition of Advantages contains almost all of BPI's enormous load library. Includes chapters that detail the evolution of the modern high-performance shotshell; defining a link from roots of shotshell invention, the most important technological developments, and finally linking to today's modern ammunition applications. We thoroughly explain the logic behind the physics of the shotshell, allowing the reader/handloader to better select optimal loads for their shooting conditions.
Component Details: Advantages Includes a detailed illustrated component summary section. Modern, high-performance shotshell components are listed with clear, easy-to-follow descriptions, specifications, and recommendations.
Subject Index: A comprehensive subject index and component abbreviation guide makes Advantages an easy-to-use reference; quick to look up and answer (almost) any reloading question.
Load Data: The extensive load data section includes the latest loads from our lab as well as old favorites for 10, 12, 16, 20, 28 and .410. Includes all the latest innovations in pellet materials, including plated lead, steel, bismuth, Hevi-Shot, BPX-12 Devastator, SpheroTungsten Original-15, and SpheroTungsten Super Max-18. Details the techniques of specialized loads for clays, waterfowl, upland, turkey, roll crimping and more.
Advantages loads focus on proprietary components made by BPI, Gualandi, B&P, BP wads, and hulls from Fiocchi, Federal, Rio, Cheddite, Remington, Winchester and others. Over 320 pages and almost 140 pages of load data; approximately 3,274 loads.
Historical Development: Ballistic Products published the first Advantages manual in the early 1980s. It has been described as the definitive shotshell companion guide. It is named for ammunition advantage that handloaders bring to their sport. The finest loads are always custom-crafted by you.
Advantages is for anyone who has ever wanted to master the art of the shotshell. New reloaders and seasoned veterans alike will find this book enjoyable, educational and indispensable; a cornerstone for choosing components and high-performance loads.
Note: These data supersedes all previous published data.
Printed in U.S.A.
What others are saying about Advantages:
*Typographical Error Notice: The following Load IDs have been removed from (page 361 in the 9th edition of the manual) the 9th edition of this publication and should not be used:
Contact BPI Ballistic Labs with any questions or concerns.
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Please give us a downloable version | 2/4/2022 |
This would be so much better in an e-format. And easily updated. I have every other manual in e-format PDF. Other than that its a good reference to have. Thanks for your hard work. | ||
We would have Advantages in an e-format, but the file is much too large at this time. We can only do this with smaller publications. | ||
--BP Labs | ||
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Beyond 60yds.......... | 12/9/2017 |
Ive been hand loading shotgun shells for 44yrs now. I also have gone deeply into just what it takes from both guns & shot shells to do this at the highest levels of performance. I once paid to have Precision Gunsmithing of Toledo, Oh. to rework a Rem. 1100 3 mag. 12ga. barrel to extend my shooting ranges. The 1100s barrel had the forcing cone extended to 2.2 long, .004 overbored, ported the barrel & choke adjusted for my best hand load.......Fio. 3 cases + 1 5/8oz of nickel plated lead shot in the BP shot cup cut with 3 petals & with a 1/8 wool felt in the base of the shot cup + BPs gas seal over SR4756 powder, then buffered with #47 buffering that had motor mica added to ease the shots flow through the barrel wads were also coated with mica. This load gives 1320fps & in that 1100 will pattern a honest 97% @ 40 yds....a result that surpassed even my highest hopes. So then, just as all seemed ideal........the Feds of course banned the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting....sigh. My next use of the above load formula is going to involve nickel BB, but now Ill be firing them through a Benelli SBE......so perhaps a 3.5 shell may come into being. Coyote beware! ! You owe it to yourself & the game hunted, to get the Advantages manual #10. Although I still have my #3 version, I know Im going to be ordering the latest version. | ||
- Craig, MI | ||
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Advantages Manual | 10/26/2017 |
Good name for this manual, The information and load data will definetly give you the advantage over the factory loaded stuff. I purchased this manual to gain more info on shotshell reloading that I felt the other manuals like the lyman manual were lacking. Im glad I did because I use this manual exclusively now and have since purchased many more BPI manuals like the status of steel and buckshot manuals. I now load shot shells for specific game that I hunt and type of hunting I do weather its early season grouse or dove hunting or late season duck and geese. Or the occasional coyote hunting. These manuals will give you the information that will make you a better reloader. | ||
- Bryce, UT | ||
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WOW...almost Info overload | 5/9/2014 |
I Read the first 40 pages and all I could do was say Wow....Where was this book in 1983 when I started reloading, If you have it, Read it, Study it, and put this info to use. I know I certainly will, If you cant find the load data in here, it doesnt exist. 364 pages with 197 pages of load data Over 5,700 load recipes. Wow what a book, easy to understand, it explains how things work and why..LOVE it | ||
- David, MO | ||
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Fabulous | 10/12/2012 |
Ive been reloading shotshells for 45 years and you outdid yourself with this manual. I own numerous reloading books for shotgun but this one takes the cake! There are answers to questions that you have answered that have puzzled me for years. Keep those manuals comming. | ||
- Mark, AK | ||
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WOW! | 9/8/2012 |
A HUGE AMOUNT OF LOAD SELECTIONS | ||
NE | ||
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THE Go-To Manual that is actually FUN to read | 9/7/2012 |
Advantages VI was still in print when I decided to Get Smart on reloading shotshells. Ive reloaded rifle and pistol for more than 30 years but never experianced much of an intrest or need for reloading shotshells. As I near my 50th birthday I have come to realize that my sight and arthritic hands/everything else 27 years of the Marine Corps tends to wear on some, more than others. I concluded I might be better severved by a shotgun. As would be the case, the Lyman and RCBS manuals showed up first and I read them cover to cover. They too, are great sourses of information and tought me a lot. But..., here is the big dfference that seperates Advantages VI from the rest. It has a degree of CHARACTER that is more personable than your average reloading manual, let alone enough DATA to cover most any load a person could ever imagine. Advantages 6th edition will be dog-eared before years-end. Id encourage you to get a copy and see for your self, even if you have never reloaded a single round. By the time you set your copy down, you will quite likely have the confidence and knowledge necessary to get the gear and supplies that will best suit YOUR needs. Subsequently beginning this hobby safely and competently. | ||
- Wyatt Lamson, NC | ||
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Best reloading manual around | 9/7/2012 |
I already own several shotgun reloading manuals, from several different publishers. The Advantages manual is, by far, the clearest and best-written of them. Has a great variety of loads, as well as wonderful information on how to and why. Just a superb manual that no shooter should miss reading. | ||
- Tom A, MD | ||